Engine 850: B5204S/2.0/20v: Water pump - Do I fit one?

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by Moose850

Hell, think I have my head around that. So why should we change coolant, because it becomes contaminated and corrosive?

When you say 'burp it', is there anything I can do like squeeze hoses or is it a case of just waiting?

As the coolant ages, the oxides etc raise the freezing point of the coolant so you have less protection from freezing.

When you fill the system with the the Anti-freeze & water mix up to the top of the reservoir. Leave the filler cap off and start the car, let it tick over for a few minutes. When the water has been circulating for a few minutes you will see the level in the reservoir drop which shows that trapped air has been forced from the system. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge to make sure it doesn't overheat. Turn the engine off, if the level has fallen below the "max" mark, top up the reservoir to the "max" level shown using the same strength anti-freeze/water mixture, then restart the car, check the coolant level again after a few minutes. Do not attempt to remove the filler cap the coolant it is under pressure and will burst upwards out of the filler at high temperature.

Allow the engine to cool and then when cold recheck the coolant level, if it has fallen, again top up to the max mark with the same strength anti-freeze mixture you used before. Check the level every day.

[Moose850]

Originally Posted by ASt85

As the coolant ages, the oxides etc raise the freezing point of the coolant so you have less protection from freezing.

When you fill the system with the the Anti-freeze & water mix up to the top of the reservoir. Leave the filler cap off and start the car, let it tick over for a few minutes. When the water has been circulating for a few minutes you will see the level in the reservoir drop which shows that trapped air has been forced from the system. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge to make sure it doesn't overheat. Turn the engine off, if the level has fallen below the "max" mark, top up the reservoir to the "max" level shown using the same strength anti-freeze/water mixture, then restart the car, check the coolant level again after a few minutes. Do not attempt to remove the filler cap the coolant it is under pressure and will burst upwards out of the filler at high temperature.

Allow the engine to cool and then when cold recheck the coolant level, if it has fallen, again top up to the max mark with the same strength anti-freeze mixture you used before. Check the level every day.

That is just about what I did. On the first fill it only took around 4 litres but subsequently I have put more in to bring it up to max. I did not note how much more I put in but ut was probably 1 to 2 litres. After that the level has remained steady.

Drove with heater on full this morning and it was definitely hotter so it is looking like it is getting there.

Thanks again.